Schenn Sr. a humble dad

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I first met Jim Schenn in the stands of the Air Canada Centre. He was quietly looking on as his 18-year-old son Luke took the game-day skate in preparation for the Leafs' home opener.

This night would mark the first NHL regular season game of Luke's that his dad would witness live: "We tried to get to Detroit but the flights and stuff just didn't work out -- we just couldn't make it happen -- but his mom and his sisters and I will be here tonight. His brother has hockey commitments."

That would be Brayden Schenn of the Brandon Wheat Kings.

If this hockey dad was nervous about the game ahead, he sure didn't show it. Instead he spoke in terms of "we'll see" and "if he stays here" when asked about Luke the Leaf.

Zero bravado, no expectations -- just a man watching his boy play hockey.

As I sat there it became more and more obvious that it's family first, then hockey for the Schenns.

Hockey is most certainly central but it is not everything -- not about glitz, glamour and dollar signs, but playing a game for which they all share a love.

Disarmingly down-to-earth, the head of the Saskatoon Schenns almost apologetically deflects any praise for raising an NHLer: "There's not a lot else to do mid-winter than play hockey. We have four backyard rinks on our little street alone and Luke would be out there for hours and hours."

The even-keeled Dad shrugs and adds, "All our kids love to play. We never push any of them to play, it's up to them to find the motivation."

There is no denying that behind this veteran firefighter's eyes is pride, but it's pride that his boy is living his dream, not a dream set upon him by his father.